Top Android news of the week, August 18, 2013

In the AA Weekly, we recap the most significant events in the past seven days in the world of Android. We look at new devices, major news, leaks, and everything else you should know to stay on top of everything Android.

This week, HTC kicked off the #HeresToChange campaign, the Note 3 was leaked extensively, we learned about LG’s tablet comeback, the Samsung Gear was confirmed, we heard some contradicting rumors about the next Nexus, while Sony’s lens attachments got us scratching our heads.

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Galaxy Note 3 leaked out

It’s increasingly hard for manufacturers to keep a secret these days, and the Note 3 is the latest device to fell victim to the hungry blogosphere.

New Nexus cometh

Rumors have already begun swirling around the new Nexus, and this year, there’s an element of suspense at play. A noted leakster claims that the upcoming Nexus smartphone will be built by Motorola, Google’s hardware-making arm. Meanwhile, out from distant Korea, rumors surface about a Nexus device that is looselybased on the LG G2.

What to believe? It’s hard to say for now, but where there’s smoke, there’s usually some fire. The only problem is that, these days, the smoke is coming from two different directions. Could Google be preparing two Nexus smartphones this year?

Gearing up for a smartwatch

Before this week, all the clues we had about Samsung’s upcoming wristwatch-like wearable computer were some trademark and patent filings and a few rumors originating from Korean websites.

Is this another faux pas from Sony or the beginning of a new era? We’ll find out soon enough.

LG G Pad

Remember the Optimus Pad? Don’t fret if the name doesn’t tell you much. LG’s last Android tablet crashed and burned about two years ago, and the experience was bad enough for the Korean manufacturer to give up making tablets for a while.

But times have changed – LG’s phones are taking off, Optimus is out, and G is in. It’s time for the G Pad! LG is reportedly going to launch the 8.3-inch G Pad at IFA in the first week of September. A quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a Full HD display paint the picture of an appealing device, provided that the price will be right.